Israel, India Strengthen Science and Technology Cooperation

Today, Israel’s Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis lands in India for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology. Minister Akunis is accompanied by a high-profile delegation comprised of several senior Knesset members and government officials, including the head of Israel Space Agency, Avi Blasberger. The ministerial visit comes less than a month after Israeli President Reuven Rivlin visited the South Asian country.

Cooperation in technology and innovation has come a long way since both countries established full diplomatic ties nearly 25 years ago. In 2008, Indian space agency ISRO launched Israeli reconnaissance satellite TechSAR aboard its satellite launching vehicle (PSLV). A missile defense system (Barak 8) jointly developed by India’s defense research agency (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has already been successfully tested.

The Indian private sector is linking up with Israeli partners as well. Last year, Indian pharmaceutical maker Sun Pharma teamed up with researchers from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology to develop cancer therapy capable of suppressing the growth and development of tumours. A bi-national initiative is bringing together hundreds of Israeli and Indian start-ups to create innovative and affordable healthcare solutions for a one-billion-strong Indian market…

About The Editor

Originally from Canton, Michigan, Hank Eckardt graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in Political Science and Spanish. He then moved to Washington, D.C. to work for Congressman Kerry Bentivolio in 2014. After working in political fundraising for 3 years, he began as editor-in-chief of TheLead.com in June 2017.